Reading Assignment Accountability

In elementary school when students are learning to read, the more practice they can get, the better. I give a nightly reading assignment and provide a parent sign-off sheet in their homework folder in order to document completion of the assignment. Many students — too often the ones who need the extra reading practice the most — simply did not bother to do their nightly reading.

Then I came up with the "Reading Roundup Chart." Using the last few inches cut from a white incentive chart I simply color in a square for each reading group which has 100% nightly reading signed each day. Each group has its own color and they watch the progress of their group with much anticipation. The best part is, I don't have to say a word; peer pressure takes over.

No one wants to be the person in their reading group that keeps them from 'getting a square.' The first group to fill in its row across the chart (it usually takes a few months) gets to have a pizza lunch with the teacher, or whatever incentive you want to use. Since establishing this 'competition' I have extended it to include not only signed reading but also having their materials for reading (e.g., their book and homework folder). It works like a charm.

[Poll name]

Email A Friend

Send This article to:

Enter the e-mail address of the recipient. Multiple addresses need to be separated by commas (200 characters max).

Add your message (optional):

Enter your e-mail address (required):

NEA respects your privacy! Your e-mail address, and that of your recipient, will be used only in the case of transmission errors and to let the recipient know who sent the story. The information will not be used for any other purpose.